While there are many reasons to be positive about the future of education and children’s social care, huge challenges remain. So says education inspectorate Ofsted in its annual report, which warns that education and care providers are struggling to recruit and retain skilled staff, while the school absence rate remains higher than it was before the pandemic.
The report also highlights the huge strain on the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system, as the number of children needing support continues to grow.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “We continue to call for urgent reform to the SEND system, and the need to improve mainstream inclusion in schools to address rising need. Ofsted should also pause SEND area inspections and, instead, focus on the national, systemic issues within the SEND system.
“We also share Ofsted’s concerns around homes for children in care, especially those who need the most specialist support.”